Camera



eb. 22, 1944. c. 9 GATY ETAL CAMERA Filed May 24, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 m t s R al/H 34M m w 0 9 n muon mn A 0 6 B Feb, 22, 1944. c. B. GATY ETAL 4 I CAMERA Filed May 24, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT R W 2 @MM" Y ATTORNE Feb; 22,1944. c, B. GATY ET AL 2,342,509

CAMERA Filed May24, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Illllm.

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10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 6 9e Part g Cl! ion-B f- ATTORNE Feb. 22, 1944. c. B. GATY ETAL k CAMERA Filed May 24. 1941 Feb. 22, 1944. GATY ETAL I 2,342,509

CAMERA 10 Shets-Sheet- 7 Filed May 24,- i941 INVENTOR iedttray Clmtoq y @01 m 1 [AMA ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1944. c. B. GATY ETAL CAMERA Filed May 24, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTO R eor'ge Patlray BY 3. aty 6% v Feb. 22, 1944. Q GAT ETAL 2,342,509

CAMERA Filed May 24, 1941 ;l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR 2/4 I Qeorge Q81 tray C. B. GATY EI'AL CAMERA Filed May 24, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Feb. 22, 1944.

v, IIII;IIIIIIIIIIIlIIIII I/llflWIIIIIII Club mvzw orz qeorge a ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 22, 1944 2,342,509 omen Clinton B. Gaty, Jamaica, and George Rattray, Mineola, N. Y., assignors to Fairchlld Aviation Corporation, Jamaica, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 24, 1941, Serial No. 395,098

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to moving picture cameras, and more particularly to a moving picture camera adapted for use in conjunction with a machine gun, or in conjunction with a gun sight adapted to be located on an airplane.

Heretofore machine gun cameras have been used primarily for training purposes, and have been inherently incapable of recording results of actual combat. While such cameras are satisfactory to a certain extent for training purposes, they have real limitations which restrict their efliciency in use for such purposes, by reason of creating conditions complicating the scoring of the photographic results to the extent that laborious and difiicult interpolation is necessary to render the score anywhere near correct. Furthermore, certain structural aspects of these cameras preclude their use with usual airplane armament and indeed necessitate the replacement of such armament with a dummy gun incorporating the camera.

The speed of light being substantially in excess of bullet velocity precludes the recording of the results of actual or simulated fire subsequent to cessation of operation of such cameras. Furthermore, assuming that these cameras could be used with actual combat armament, the same inherent incapacity pertains as the camera cannot photograph the results of bullets discharged a few seconds before the gun stops firing. Still further, such cameras are not capable of use with machine gun sights as are at present installed in the cockpits of combat airplanes.

It is accordingly among the objects of this invention to provide a machine gun camera which is not only ruggedly constructed, durable over an extended period of use, and capable of withstanding substantial variations in temperature and altitude, but is also able to simulate actual combat conditions, as well as faithfully record actual combat results in their entirety. It is another object of this invention to provide with a machine gun camera apparatus capable of maintaining the camera in operation subsequent to the cessation of firing of the machine gun in a dependable manner and for an accurately predeterminable period of time regardless of the temperature at which the camera is operating. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of an airplane having installed thereon a machine gun equipped with the camera; 1

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l, but showing the camera installed in conjunction with a cockpit gun sight;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the camera connected to the cockpit gun sight;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the camera;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the camera;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the combined gun sight and camera shown in Figure ll-I l ofFigure 10;

Figure 12 is a staggered section taken along the line l2-l2 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the film driving mechanism shown in Fi ure 10;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 showingthe mechanism in a diflerent position;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the overrun device with its cover removed and certain parts broken away;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 but taken at a different plane as along the line l6li of Figure 17;

Figure 17 is a staggered section taken along the line ll-ll of Figure 15;

Figure 18 is a schematic view of the overrun device shown in Figures 16 and 17; and,

Figure 19 is a'wiring diagram of the control circuit for the machine gun camera and overrun.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawmgS.

Referring first to Figure 1, an airplane 20 has attached thereto a machine gun 2|, to the side of which the camera, generally indicated at 22 is bolted, the camera being boresighted with the gun. The camera thus installed is, in effect, an

aimed by aimingthe airplane atthe target.

I this instance, I however, camera 22 (Figure 2) is not directlyconnected to any of the guns, but: I rather-is installed in conjunction with a gun-sight 24 mounted mine airplane cockpit, za-aswm describedin'more detail hereinbelow. c I I i A'sis-shown inFlgures 4 andl5, camera 22 .in- I 'cludes'a, casing, 26 whichhous'es' the filmimaga-L I I i zine, shutter: operating mechanism, feeding.

system and; drive therefor, all as will-beidescrihed hereinbelow. Secured to and extending from E .I

I I casing 26 are. a plurality, conveniently four, of I i securing studs I 21, by which the camera maybe vsecured either to gun 2i (Figural) =or: togun,

sight 24 (Figurez). The topof camera housing Q flanged hub 29, within which-aicameralensilof I sultablecharacteristics is mounted, Hub, 29

bee

p is

' I hasan enlarged hous1ngportion:3,l,cpen as at 32 to provide access to -a diaphragmcontrol. I

,,ring33 c.

' I-Iousing 3i imcludesaiflangefl-(Figured) :to

, I which issecuredan eree'tingsystem; generally in,-'

' I idiat8d at'35 Whi0h,-2.S is better shown in Figure 1 comprises a conduit: for the transmission of light through the camera lens from :a direction; I

I normal thereto. I Erecting system 35 is also pro-' :videdwith a suitable mount 36 to support'a'fllter' 3l.- Through the; provision of erecting system i f 3'5, 'camera:22 (Figure 3) maybe installed horiv zontallyiinthe airplane cockpit, so as to take upas little room as possible, and furthermore may:

' be connected togun sight 24 in such a manner '--that the' erecting system covers upbuta small.

' portion of the eyepiece of the gun sight, but still g f'is capable, the camera lens being of-infinite:

I I focus, of photographing not; only-the target, but.

able to photograph the position of the target at which the guns are firing or at which fire is being simulated, and thus record the relationship of the target with respect to the reticle ofvthe gun sight, rendering scoring merely a matter of looking at the photographic record.

It might be well to'point out at this time that when camera 22 is mounted directly on the gun, as shown inFigure 1, erecting system 351s not used, it being used only when the camera is used in conjunction with gun sight 24, as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, when the camera is mounted on the gun sight, it is used only as' a fixed camera, 1. e., the camera is immovable relative to the airplane, and under such circumstances it is preferred that a three inch lens be used in conjunction with the erecting system. It is possible, of course, to use the camera in conjunction witha flexible gun, under which circumstances the camera may be either directly mounted on the gun, as shown in Figure 1, or on a gun turret (not shown). When the camera is used with a flexible gun, we prefer to use a one inch lens, or a lens of approximately that focal length, but without erecting system .35. Inasmuch as the camera lens is focused at infinity, as noted above, there are no provisions made for focusing.

' also thereticle the gun sight, i The gun sight I 1 is, of :coursaboresi'ghted with the machineiguns I I on the airplane, and accordingly the camera is Referring now to Figure 12, camera casing 26 has extending longitudinally therethrough a partition 45 which divides the easing into a film magazine compartment 46 and an operating lens I system.

. mechanism compartment 47. .As shown in 'Fig.-; i ure- 8, these I compartments: are permanentlyclosedat theright hand end-and are provided: I I 3 Q I Q r film magazin; generally indicated at .56 (Figure :10); FilmmagazineSll has janopening a: which f I. when. the magazine is properly positioned within I l I its compartment 46' registers with an opening {zine-partition 53adjacent2the camera shutter 1 I generally indicated at 5,4, and further which; is, I I in alignment with the optical axisof the camera:

Opening I 51 in magazine. 50 I is closed by an elongated flexible safety :gate or l n i I slide 55. (i; e., closed, when. the magazine is out I of the camera) which-extends from a point 554: I adjacent the lower edge of; partition 53 to a point-1; I

' i :25 (Figures) has bolted thereto lay-bolts 28,- a I I c j'aiib along-the upper side of the magazine 50, as

, dated within the magazine: Slide .55-alsohas an, I i i openingifi formed therein which, when magazine zine opening 5! and partition opening '62, these 1 50 is in its compartment 4.6 registers with maga- 1 three openings accordingly being aligned with I shutter mechanism54 and the cemeras optical I I I axis; Hence; as the. film, 5! ,in magazine 50 ls fed'from thesupply spool to the rewindspool; I I it passes between: slide '55: and a presser plate;

58 so that the 151m; frames :pass, across opening 56 I to receive lightv directed therethrough. The I I film is fed from the. supply spool in the magazine past: opening, 5,6 and wound on the rewind spool, through theo'perationofya sprocketil I I I l in magazine 58,: which sprocket is driven by slot 60 :cut. in oneside thereof, and through this v slot extends a pin 62, the inner-endofwhichis I I connected to slide As showmpin 62= abuts I 1 A :or lies near; the rearedgeofslots 60, in which position slide. opening 56 is I in registry-with magazine opening 5!. When pin 62 abuts the forward edge of slot' 60, openings 56 and 5| are out of registry so that magazine opening 5| is closed.

A leaf spring, generally indicated at 63, has one end 63a thereof secured in any suitable manner to the side of camera casing 26. Midway of the ends of spring 63 are a pair of abutments 64 and 65, the former of which is parallel with pin 62 and the latter of which is inclined with respect thereto. Between spring end 63a and spring abutment 65 is an inclined portion 66 against which pin 62 rides when magazine 50 is inserted in compartment 46. As the pin passes along spring portion 66, the spring is depressed so that pin 62 may ride over point 65a of spring abutment 65. After the pin has passed this point, the spring is free to snap back into the position shown in Figure 10, wherein the pin and spring abutment 64 engage as the magazine is inserted. As soon as these two parts engage, and upon continued insertion of the magazine, pin 62 is slid along slot until itengages the rear extremity of the slot, at which 'point magazine 50 is in proper operating position with slide opening 56 and magazine opening 5| in registry.

When magazine 50 is withdrawn from its compartment 46, i. e. when it is moved to the right, as viewed in Figure 10, pin 62 engages spring abutment until the pin abuts or nears the lefthand extremity of slot 60. With the pin in this position, slide 66 has closed magazine opening Continued withdrawal of the magazine causes pin 92 to ride over spring point 95a, so

that the magazine may be completely withdrawn from compartment 48.

As shown in Figures 8 and 10, an elongated relatively stifl spring 499 is riveted or otherwise secured to the camera casing as at 49I (Figure 19) and includes a portion 492 adapted to bear against the side of magazine 59. By reason of the stiffness of spring 499, it holds the magazine securely in its proper operative position against such displacing tendencies to which the camera might be subjected. The free end of spring 499 is provided with a lip 493 under which a cam 494 riveted to camera door 49 (Figure 8) is adapted to enter when the camera door is closed. As may be seen in Figure 10, this action of the cam increases the stiffness of spring 499 forcin spring portion 492 firmly against the side of magazine 59.

Referring now to Figure 7, partition 45 of casing 25 supports within drive mechanism compartment 41 (Figure 12) a motor 89 (Figure 'I) on the armature shaft of which is mounted a small spur gear 99. Motor 99 is mounted in.a relatively heavy housing 19 (Figure 9) from which a stud 'II extends. A bevel gear I3, having a hub I4, is freely mounted on stud II, this bevel gear also including an annular shoulder or projection I5 forming an annular slot 154; in which is disposed a spring 11 adapted to engage a large spur gear I2 rotatably mounted on hub I4 and meshing with small gear 99 (Figure '7). A collar 19 is threaded on the inner end of hub I4 to adjust the bias of spring 'I'I against gear I2. It may now be seen that upon operation of motor 99 (Figure 'I) spur gear 99 drives gear I2 (Figure 9) which in turn drives bevel gear I3 through the engagement between gear I2 and clutch surface I5. Hence, if any of the mechanism driven by bevel gear I3 jams, or if the film jams, gear I2 may rotate relative-to bevel gear I3, and neither the drive mechanism nor the motor will be damaged.

Bevel gear I3 meshes with, and accordingly drives a bevel gear I9 (Figure 9) which is pinned to a sleeve I9 secured to a shaft 89 Journaled in bushings 8| 1 and 92 secured respectively to partition 45 and a plate 83'supported in drive mechanism compartment 41. Also pinned to sleeve I9, to rotate therewith, are five change gears- 94, 85, 99, 91 andv 98, which are respectively engageable with idler gears 99, 99, 9I, 92 and 93, rotatably mounted in a carrier generally indicated at 94. Change gears 94-83 and their respective idlers are designed to provide the different film feed rates between 16 and 64 film frames per second, and as will be hereinafter described, any one of these gears may be selected for the feed rate desired. Idler gear carrier 94 is pivotable about a shaft 95 mounted in and between partition 45 and plate 93, the carrier being-located between spacer washers 99 and 91 also carried by shaft 95. Still another shaft 98 is mounted in and between partition 45 and plate 93. A sleeve 99 is secured to shaft 98, and on this sleeve are pinned five cams I99, I9I, I92, I93 and I94.

Still referring to Figure 9, camera casing 29 includes a depressed chamber I 95, through the bottom of and into which the upper end of shaft 98 extends. A knurled knob I99 is disposed within chamber I95 and secured to the upper end of shaft 99. This knob is connected'to a dial I91 which, as is shown in Figure 4, is suitably marked to indicate the different film feed rates selectable by manipulation of the knob.

As shown in Figure 9, idler gear carrier 34 includes a plurality of individual carriers I99, I99, II9, III and H2, in which idler gears 89-93 respectively are rotatably mounted. A plurality of springs II3, II4, H5, H9 and III are wound about shaft 95, and each has one end bearing against one carrier. For example, and II3a (Figure '1)v of spring I I3 biases carrier I98 toward the cam I99. The other carriers are similarly biased by their springs toward their carriers. The other ends of these springs all pressagainst a plate H8 and force the plate against at least two of the cams, e. g., cams IM and I92, which are not in use.

Referring back to Figure 9, a shaft H9 has its opposite ends 'journaledin bushings I29 and I2I which are respectively secured to partition and plate 93, and to this-shaft is secured a sleeve I22. A plurality of gears I23, I24, I25,

I29 and I2'I are pinned to sleeve I22, and are.

adapted to be selectively engaged by idlers 89-93, according to which one thereof is pivoted by operation of one of cams I99-494 into meshing engagement with one of drive gears 84-99. For example, if knob I99 is so manipulated as to engage cam I99 .(see Figure 7-) with idler carrier I99, idler 99 is meshed not only with drive gear 84, but also with gear I23, so that a drive traln'is established. Thus, assuming operation of motor 98, the following gear train is established: motor driven gear 99, spur gear I2, bevel gear I3, bevel gear I8, gear 94, idler 99, gear I23, and accordingly shaft II9.

With reference to Figure 9, it will be seen that small spur gear I29 is pinned to sleeve I22 so as to rotate therewith when one of gears I23-I2l is driven as described above. As shown in Figure '7, gear I28 meshes with'a large spur gear I29, rotatably mounted on a stud I39 (Figure 8) secured to and extending from partition 45; gear I29 in turn meshes with a small spur gear I3I preferably integral with a.large gear I32, both of these gears being rotatably mounted on a stud 333, secured to and extending from partition '45. Large gear I32 (Figure 7) meshes with a gear I33 rotatably mounted within the camera drive mechanism compartment 41, and gear I33 in turn meshes with a gear I34 which is connected to and accordingly drives camera shutter 54. Large gear I32 also drives a portion of the film feed mechanism as will be described hereinis secured a spur gear I39 which drives the film footage indicating mechanism dicated at I49.

The film footage indicating mechanism I49 ingenerally includes a shaft I which extends through the hub I42 of a stationary gear I43, the shaft and gear hub being pinned to plate I38. Freely rotatable on shaft MI is a gear I44 which meshes with and is accordingly driven by gear I39. A bushing I45 extends through and is carried by Gear I41 in turn meshes with a gear I49 having an elongated hub I50 freely rotatable about shaft I4I; gear hub I50 also supports the hub -II of a gear I52 which is carried and held stationary by an angle I53 secured to mounting I36. An arm I54 includes a hub disposed about and staked to the upper end of gear hub I50 and accordingly this arm rotates with the hub and its gear I49 when the latter gear is driven by planetary gear I41.

The outer end of arm I54 carries a bushing I55 in which a stud I56 is journaled. The opposite ends of stud- I56 have connected thereto planetary gears I51 and I 58, the former of which meshes with stationary gear I52 and the latter of which meshes with a gear I59 freely rotatable I on shaft I4I'.

It will now appear that a reduction between driving gear I39 and driven gear I59 is obtained through the planetary gear system described. Driven gear I59 has secured thereon a spring I60 which bears against a clutch surface I6I of an indicator plate I62 mounted on the hub of gear I59 and movable relative thereto. A collar Y I63 is threaded on the hub of gear I59'to force clutch surface I6I against spring I60 to adjust the clutch tension. It will now appear that while indicator plate I62 normally rotates with gear I59 it may be moved relative thereto and this for the purpose of setting the indicator plate in accordance with the amount of unexposed film in the camera. Indicator plate I62 (Figure 7) may be marked with indicia which are visible through an opening I64 (Figure 8) formed in the bottom of a chamber 365 in camera casing 26.

For the purpose of setting the indicator plate there is provided a manually operable stud l65 which extends through a bushing I66 carried by the bottom of chamber 365. The lower end of stud I65 carries an adjusting disc I61 which is frusto-conical in shape and accordingly has a tapered periphery. The periphery of disc I61 is adapted to engage an annular shoulder I62a on indicator plate I62 so that upon rotation of the disc the indicator may be moved relative to its driving gear I59.

The upper end of stud I65 has an adjustor knob I68 pinned thereto. A spring I69 coiled about stud I65 and disposed between knob I68 and the bottom-of chamber 365 biases the knob and accordingly adjustor disc I61 away from in- At one end of splined shaft 369 is a toothed disc I10, the teeth I10a of which are insertable or engageable in pockets formed in sprocket- 59 (Figure 10); Thus it will appear that when gear I88 (Figure 8) is driven by gear I29 and sprocket also Fi e 8) 59 (Figure 10) is engaged by disc I10, the film 51 is drawn from the supply spool and rewound on the rewind spool in known manner;

To permit insertion of film magazine 50 within its compartment 46, disc I10 (Figure 12) is retractable from the film compartment. To accomplish this, the other end of shaft 369 has secured thereto a washer I1I against which the bifurcated end of a rigid arm I12 is adapted to bear when shaft 369 and accordingly disc I 10 is moved in sprocket disengaging direction. The other end I12a of arm I12 is looped about and secured to the end of an operating shaft I13 (see Shaft I13 is pivotally supported by angle I35, the other end of this shaft being similarly mounted in a bracket I14 secured to Partition 45. Shaft I13 is curved or bent at I15 to clear a socket I16 which provides the lead-in terminals for. motor 68 and other electrically actuated devices in compartment 41 (Figure 7). To the left-hand end of shaft I13, as viewed in Figure 8, is secured an operating arm or le"er I11, the upper end I 11a of which is secured to the shaft and lies within compartment 41, and

the lower end I11b of which extends into film" magazine compartment 46 (see Figure 12) close to and preferably parallel with side 48a of door 48. A projection I18 extends from end "11) of lever I11, and when the lever is in the position shown in Figure 12 projection I18 registers with and extends through an opening in side 48a of door 48 when the door is closed. To facilitate the locating of projection I18 with'the hole in door side 48a, we preferably provide a spring generally indicated at I19 in Figure 12, the two arms I and I8I of which embrace opposite sides of projection I18 and accordingly act as a guide therefor, as well as a retaining device for holding lever I11 in proper position.

Still referring to Figure 12, we preferably provide a resilient arm or leaf spring I82, one end of which is secured to the end of shaft I13, and the other end of which presses against the end of shaft 369. Thus when shaft I13 is turned clockwise, as viewed in Figure 12, shaft 369 is resiliently biased in film feed sprocket engaging direction so that if the teeth I10a on disc I10 are not in proper position to enter sprocket 59 (Figure 10) they may ride over the sprocket until they register with the pockets therein, at which time spring arm I82 (Figure 12) snaps the disc teeth I10a into position.

From the above it will appear that. when lever I11 is pivoted counterclockwise from the position shown inFigure 12, rigid arm I12, by reason of its engagement with washer I1I, retracts disc I10 into a space I83 provided therefor. In other words, lever I11 and disc I10 are completely withdrawn from film magazine compartment 48 so as to permit insertion therein of the film magazine. Unless the lever and disc are thus completely retracted, the film magazine cannot be inserted,

and accordingly jamming of the film feed drive.

mechanism .is precluded.- For the same reason, when the film magazine is in proper position within compartment 46, and lever I11 and disc I10 are in the position shown in Figure 12,, it is impossible to withdraw the film magazine from its compartment, as the lever forms a positive stop against withdrawal of the film magazine, regardless of the position'of door 48 (Figure 8). This, of course, also precludes jamming of the film feed drive mechanism.

It may now be seen that when the operator ofthe camera loads the camera, door 48 (Figure 8) is swung open. If lever I11 is in the position shown, it is impossible to insert the film magazine. Hence the operator moves lever I11 and accordingly disc I (Figure 12) out of magazine compartment 48 so that the magazine may be inserted therein. Unless the magazine is properly positioned within its compartment 48, lever I11 cannot be swung into the position shown in Figure 12. when the magazine is properly positioned, however, the lever may then be swung to the position shown, with the result that disc I10 registers with film magazine sprocket 59 (Figure 10) and can engage therewith when the teeth of the sprocket register with the pockets in the sprocket. Also, when the several parts are in this position, door 48 (Figure 8) may be swung closed so that the opening therein registers with and receives lever projection I18.

As noted hereinabove, gear I82 (Figures 7 and 8) operates a portion of the film feed drive mechanism. Thus gear I32 (Figure 8)-meshes with a gear I84 secured to a shaft I85, the upper end of which is journaled in one end of an angle I88 secured to partition 45. .The'other end of shaft I85 is journaled inthe partition and extends therethrough. This latter end of shaft I85 has secured thereto a crank disc I81 or the like to which is pivotally connected an arm gen-- erally'indicated at I88 (see Figures 10, 13 and 14). Referring back to Figure 8, shaft I85 also preferably has secured thereto a fiywheel I89. Thus upon rotation of gear I32 through the gear train heretofore described, gear I84 and accordingly crank I81 are driven at that speed determined by the adjustment of the change gear system shown in Figure 9.. It might also be noted that the gear train shown in Figure 7, and interconnecting gears I28 and I84, is so designed that the R. P. M. of these two gears is the same.

As is well known in motion picture camera construction, the film is fed intermittently, i. e., it is stationary during exposure. To obtain this intermittent feed of the film, arm I88 is provided. This arm, as noted above, is pivotally.

connected to crank I81 (Figure 13) so that rotation of the crank effects reciprocation of the arm. The'end of arm I88 is provided with a hook I90 having a lug I9I formed thereon. Arm I88 has secured thereto and extending therefrom 'a stud I92 which rides in and is guided by a positive cam comprising a rigid stationary side I98 and a preferably resilient side I94. These cam sides, as shown in Figure 11, are secured to and extend at right angles from partition 45,

i and are solocated with respect to the path of film 51 (Figure 13) that hook I90 and lug I9I are guided into successive film perforations 51a as arm I88 reciprocates, to advance the film as arm I88 moves from right to left, and to leave the film stationary as the arm moves downwardly. To assure engagement of film 51 by hook I90 at each driving stroke of arm I88, it is preferable that the path of travel of lug I9I be parallel to the path of travel of the film. To this end, cam side I93 is so contoured as to have a low spot at I930, a gradually rising surface as at I93b, a high spot as at I930, a downwardly inclined surface as at I93d, and a drop as at I93e. The shape of this cam surface is a function of the distance of the pivotal axis of arm I88 to the right and left of the axis of crank I81 as viewed in Figure 13, so that as the arm moves downwardly, lug I9I enters film perforation 51a almost immediately'at the start of the arm's movement downward as viewed in Fig. 13, the

lug entering the perforation. along a path substantially at right angles to the plane of the film. As the arm moves from the position shown in Figure 13 substantially to the position of the arm shown in Figure 14, lug I 9|, which is in engagement with the film during this movement, travels a path parallel to the plane of the film. During this movement, arm stud I92 is traversing portions I931), I98c, I93d and I83e of cam side I88. Immediately after arm I88 attains the position shown in Figure 14, stud I92 engages cam surface I93e, with the result that arm hook I and lug I9I pivot about the axis of stud I92 to assist in withdrawing thehook and lug out of film perforation 51a. Continued counterclockwise movement of crank I81 moves arm I88 to and through the position thereof shown in Fig ure l0, and during this travel of the arm, hook I90 and lug I8I are retracted from film 51 and accordingly the film remains stationary. As re-= ciprocat'ory movement of arm I88 under these conditions is necessarily jerky, the resilience of cam side I98 accommodates such displacement of stud I92 from its true path as may occur. To assure travel of stud I92 along cam side I93, resilient cam side I94 is preferably contout'ed substantially similarly to cam side I93. I

As noted above, the mechanism which drives crank I81 (Figure 10) and accordingly arm I88, is synchronized with the mechanism which'drives film feed sprocket 59. To accommodate the intermittent action of arm I88 to the steady rotation of sprocket 59, film 51 is looped as indicated. It should also be noted that through the provision of the positive cam hereinbefore described, the intermittent drive mechanism may be greatly simplified as compared with known mechanisms of this general character, and may be installed in a limited space, thus greatly lending to the compactness of the camera as a whole.

The firing capacity of a 50 caliber machine gun is approximately 800 bullets per minute; that of a 30 caliber gun is approximately 1,300 per minute. The efiective range of a 50 caliber gun is about 1,000 yards; that of a 30 caliber gun is about 600 yards. The muzzle velocity of both 50 and 30 caliber bullets is about 2,600 feet per second, or about 860 yards per second. Hence, if the target is one thousand yards from the gun there would be over 13 bullets in the air between the gun and the target at the same time, with respect to the 50 caliber gun. At 600 yards there would be about the same number of 30 caliber bullets in the air. Therefore, it would take about one second for all the bullets to take efiect after the gun has stopped firing, and at least two seconds more to observe the effect of the 13 bullets.

Also if the camera stops taking pictures at the same time the gun stops firing, the camera cannot photograph the effect of the bullets fired two or three seconds before the, gun stops firing. When it is considered that a four-second burst from four 50 caliber wing guns, or two 50 and two 30 caliber wing guns would result in a highly destructive burst of approximately 200 bullets, the desirability of photographing the effect of such a burst is immediately apparent. The same proposition, of course, holds true during simulatedthe air between the target and thaw after the gun stops firing. To this end there is provided what will hereinafter be termed an overrun de vice which maintains the camera in operation for a predetermined period of time after the gun stops firing.

As shown in Figure 2, the overrun device, generally indicated at I95, is located in the cockpit convenient to the pilot, and is electrically con nected to camera 22 by a cable I96. As shown 'in Figure 15, overrun device I95 is housed in a casing I91, within which is mounted a rotatable central shaft I98 (Figure 17). This shaft extends through one side I9Ia of casing I 91 and supports the elongated sleeve I99 of a hub 200 located within the casing adjacent side I9la; shaft I98 also rotatably supports a collar I which has secured thereto a. ratchet 202 and a spur gear 203, the diameter of which is slightly less than that of the ratchet. Still another collar 204 is rotatably mounted on shaft I98 and to this collar is secured a pawl arm 205, to the end of which (as seen in Figure.16) is pivoted a pawl 208 (see also Figure 18). Pawl 206 is biased toward ratchet engaging position by a spring 201, one end of which is connected to the pawl and the other end of which is connected to a lug 208 on pawl am 205.

A supporting wall I9'Ib in casing" I91 (Figure 17,) rotatably carries a bushing 209 or the like which is held in constant spaced relation to collar 20 by a sleeve spacer 2I0 mounted on shaft I98. A spring 2H is coiled about spacer sleeve 2I0 and its opposite ends are connected respectively to collar 204 and bushing 209. Movement of adjustor bushing 209 relative to collar 20 tensions the spring as desired. A suitable detent 2| 2 is mounted on wall I9Ib for holding spring adjustor 209 in its adjusted position. 4

From the above it will appear that ratchet 202 and gear 203 move together as both are secured to collar 20I and that by reason of the engagement between pawl 205 and ratchet 202 the ratchet and accordingly gear 203 are driven in one direction by spring 2I I.

Collar 204 includes a gear 204a which meshes with a gear segment 2I3 (Figure 18) pivotally mounted on a shaft 2 (Fi ure 16) supported between walls I9Ia and I9'Ib. As is more clearly shown in Figure 18, gear segment 2I3 has pivotally connected thereto one end of a link 2I5, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the plunger 2l6 of a solenoid 2I'I. Solenoid 2I1 is adapted to be energized upon initial actuation of the machine gun and the camera, and when so energized causes spring 2 to be loaded by reason of the coaction of gear segment 2I3 and gear 204a.

Gear 203 (Figure 1'7) meshes with a spur gear 9|! whichhas an integral hub 3I8 pinned to a stud 3I9 journaled in casing wall I9'Ia and a partition I910 supported within casing I91. This hub has mounted thereon a gear 32I which meshes with-a gear 322 which, with its hub 323, is secured to stud 324- journaled in casing wall I9la and partition I9Ic. Hub 323 carries a star wheel 325 adapted to cooperate with a pallet 326 (see Figure 18) which with the star wheel form an escapement to regulate the rate 01' rotation of gear 203 as driven by spring 2I I. It will now appear that gear 203 rotates at a relatively slow constant rate under the driving bias of spring 2 by reason of the governing action of the gear train connecting gear 203 with the escapement formed by star wheel 325 and pallet 326.

Gear 2031s, of course, driven by spring 2I I, by

reason of the ratcheting engagement of ratchet 202 and pawl 205, ratchet arm 205 and accordingly collar 204, together with gear segment 2I3 likewise being driven. Shaft 2, which carries gear segment 2I'3, has extending at right angles therefrom a pin 2I0, which is engageable with a plunger 2I9, which actuates a double pole single throw micro-switch, generally indicated at 220.

As will appear hereinafter, micro-switch 220 is normally in the 03" position, i. e., the motor circuit is open but a heater circuit (described below) is closed. Also, as will appear, when the pilot closes the stick switch which actuates the machine gun or guns, solenoid 2" is energized to load spring 2I has heretofore described, When the pilot releases the main switch,- solenoid III is deenergized, with the result that spring 2 drives-shaft 2 I4 and accordingly pin 2 I0 counterclockwise, asviewed in Figure 18, through the extent of its travel. Just before pin 2I8 reaches the end of its travel, it engages micro-switch plunger 2I9 which during the operation of the overrun device has been in the on position, and opens switch 220, breaking the circuit to the camera motor. Hencethe camera is operated for a period of time which is predeterminable, as will appear, subsequent to cessation of gun fire.

Preferably the various parts of the overrun device are designed for a maximum operating period of the device, for example, three seconds. Under certain circumstances, however, it may be desirable that the overrun device operate for a shorter period of time. To this end a cam 22I (Figure 16) is secured to sleeve hub 200, the radius of cam 22I being slightly in excess of that of ratchet 202 so as to cover a portion of the ratchet. The position of cam 22I in relation to ratchet 202 may be adjusted through manipula-- tion of a control knob 222 mounted on and connected to the outer end. of sleeve I99 (Figures 1'7 and 18). In order to maintain the cam in its adjusted position, a gear 223 (Figure 15) is also carried by sleeve hub 200, and the teeth of this gear engage a spring biased ball 22 which holds the gear, and accordingly the cam, in adjusted position.

When cam 22I is set in the position desired, it is located to trip pawl 206 (Figure 15) at the end of the predetermined period of operation of the overrun device. When the pawl is so tripped, pawl arm 205 operates freely and rapidly to return to its off or dotted line position, wherein the camera motor is deenergized through the operatioh of micro-switch 220, as described. Preferably the teeth in gear 223 are so cut that their position is such that the distance between centers of adjacent teeth subtends one-twentieth of a second, In other words, the overrun device is adjustable in increments of one-twentieth of a second. To assist determination of the period of operation of the overrun device, control knob 222 preferably includes a pointer 222a (Figure 18) suitably calibrated in time units to facilitate predetermination of the period of operation of the overrun. 3

To facilitate scoring the photographic results,

it is desirable that a record of the period of opthrough opening 52 in the partition. It might be noted that preferably the sides of opening 52 include pairs of projections 228 and 229 which take the place of cross hairs. Thus, when the overrun device is operating to run the camera, after the machine gun has stopped firing, magnet 225 is deenergized, as will appear later, to cause pin 221 to assume the position shown in Figure 11. In other words, a picture of pin 221 will appear on the film during the operation of the overrun device.

Instead of the overrun indicator comprising magnet 225 and pin 221, shown in Figure 11, a small electric light (not shown) may be installed in the corner of opening 52, taking the place of the end of pin 221. When such a light is used, it will burn at all times upon operation of the camera, except when the overrun device is operating. Hence, during norma1 operation of the camera, a corner of the film will be foggedby the light, making the period of overrun control readily determinable.

With reference to the wiring diagram shown in Figure 19, the main airplane battery is indicated at 230 and has its negative side connected .b a

lead 23I to a terminal 232 in overrun device I95.

Terminal 232 is connected to a terminal 233 in the overrun by a line 234, while terminal 233 is connected to a terminal 235 in camera 22 by a wire 238 which is one of the wires in cable I96. A lead 231 connected to camera terminal 235 is also connected to one sideof motor 68, to one side of a heater 238, and to one side of solenoid 225 of the overrun indicator. In connection with heater 238, thi heater, as is shown in Figure 7, is mounted next to motor 68, and as will later appear, is energized while the motor is deenergized through the operation of micro-switch 220.

From the above, it may be seen that leads 23I, 234, 236 and 231 comprise a common ground for the entire control circuit.

The positive side of battery 230 is connectedto a terminal 239 in overrun device I95, and this terminal is connected by a lead 248 to the movable central contact 24I of micro-switch 220, the two stationary contacts of which are designated 242 and 243. Switch contact 243 is connected by a lead 244 to a terminal 245 which is in turn connected to a terminal 246 by a wire 241 which is another wire in connector cable I96. Terminal 246 in the camera is connected by a lead 246 to the other side of motor 68 so that when contacts 2 and 243 of switch 220 are closed the motor circuit is completed.

Switch terminal 242 is connected by a lead 249 to a terminal 250 in the overrun device which is connected to a terminal 25| in the camera by another wire 252 of connector cable I96. Camera terminal 25I is connected by a lead 253 through a thermostat 254 to the other side of heater 238. Thus it will. appear that when contacts MI and 242 of switch 226 are closed, the circuit to motor 68 is broken, but that to heater 238 is closed, depending upon the condition of thermostat 254. Of course, if the temperature within camera 22 is above a predetermined maximum, thermostat switch 254 is open to prevent energization of heater 238.

The positive side of battery 236 is connected by a lead 255 to a gun operating solenoid 306 which when energized operates gun 3M, this solenoid in turn being connected by a lead 302 to one contact 303 of the main st ck switch 256 located on the airplane controls for easy operation by the pilot. The other contact 304 of stick switch 256 is connected by a lead 251 to a terminal 259 of overrun device I95, and this terminal is in turn connected by lead 259 to the common terminal 269 or a double pole single throw switch generally indicated at 26I. This switch is preferably located on the face of the overrun device I so as to be readily accessible to the pilot. Double pole switch 26I includes an on" terminal 262, and an o terminal 263, the former of which is connected by a lead 264 to a terminal 265, and the latter of which is connected to overrun terminal 245 by way of lead 244 and a lead "266. Overrun terminal 265 is connected to terminal 261 in camera 22 by still another wire 268 in connector cable I96, camera terminal 261 in turn being connected by a lead 269 to th other side of overrun indicator solenoid 225.

Overrun solenoid 2" is connected to lead 264 and by way of a lead 210 to lead 234, accordingly being connected across battery 230 when switch 26I is in its on position. When switch 26I is in its "05 position, the overrun is bypassed by way of line 266. In the normal condition of micro-switch 220, contacts MI and 242 thereof are in engagement under which condition heater 238 is energized, current flowing through the heater as long as thermostatic switch 254 is closed. Upon energization of overrun solenoid 2II, however, micro-switch contacts 24I and 243 engage to energize motor 68, it being noted that when the motor is energized the circuit to heater 238 is broken as contacts MI and 242 of the microswitch separata.

In operation, assuming that the pilot desires to use overrun device I 95 and accordingly closes switch 26l, closing of stick switch 256 completes a circuit through overrun solenoid 2", operation of which causes micro-switch plunger 2 I 9 to close contact 24I and 243 of the micro-switch. The engagement of these contactscompletes the circuit to and accordingl energizes motor 68, and at the same time breaks the circuit to and accordingly deenergizes heater 238. Accordingly, as long as stick switch 256 remains closed, solenoid 2II is energized, as is also motor 68. When stick switch 256 is opened, however, overrun solenoid 2II is deenergized, thus permitting the overrun device to operate for a predetermined period of time, as hereinbeiore described. Durin th operation of the overrun device, micro-switch contacts 24| and 243 are kept closed tocontinue energization of the camera motor 68 so that the camera continues to operate although the gun has ceased firing. Operation of the camera is continued until the end of the overrun operation when movement of micro-switch plunger 2I9 effects separation of micro-switch contacts 24] and 243. Such separation, of course, deenergizes the camera motor and stops the camera. It should also be noted that when overrun solenoid 2" is energized, the overrun indicator magnet 225 is also energized. Both of these however, are deen- ,ergized simultaneously upon the opening of stick switch 256, at which time the overrun device commences its operation. Deenergization of overrun indicator magnet 225 causes the end of pin 22'! (Figure 11) to enter aperture 52, or extinguishes the light (not shown) 1 referred to above, so that the beginning of overrun operation can be readily determined.

Accordingly, it will now appear that the machine gun camera attains the various objects set forth hereinabove in a thoroughly practical and eilicient manner. a

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set ,forth, or shown in the accomof said, gun, electrically actuated means for operating said camera, a camera circuit energizable to actuate said camera operating means, a gun'circuit energizable for actuating-said gun firing means, means energized simultaneously with energization of said gun circuit for effecting energization of said camera circuit, whereby the gun and camera are operated simultaneously, means rendered operative upon deenergifor operating said gun, an electric motor for operating said camera, a circuit for said gun solenoid including a source of current and a main switch closable to energize said circuit and operate said-solenoid, a second circuit for said camera motor and having a switch which when closed energizes said second circuit to operate said motor, a second solenoid connected in said first circuit, means connecting said second solenoid and said second switch for closing said second switch when said second solenoid is energized, a spring motor connected to said second solenoid and adapted upon energization thereof to be wound thereby, said spring motor being held in wound condition as long as said second solenoid is energized, mechanical es'capement means for retarding the rate of operation of said spring motor upon deenergization of said second solenoid, and means operated by said zation of said gun circuitfor efiecting deenergization of said camera circuit subsequent to deenergization of said gun circuit thereby to keep said camera operating subsequent to deenergization of said gun circuit and said gun firing' means, means conditioning for operation said deenergizing means upon 'energization of said gun circuit, an electric heater in said camera,

spring motor after a predetermined amount of v time for opening said second switch thereby to maintain said camera in operation subsequent to opening of said main switch.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a machine gun, a motion picture camera associated with said gun and arranged to photograph the field of fire of the gun so as to record actual or simulated gun fire, a solenoid for operating said gun, an electric motor for operating said camera, a circuit for said gun solenoid including a source of current and a main switch closable to energize said circuit and operate said solenoid, a second circuit for said camera motor having a normally open switch which when closedenergizes said second circuit to operate said motor, means responsive to energization of said gun solenoid circuit and operatively associated with said normally open switch for closing said normally open switch when said first circuit is energized, a spring connected to said responsive means and adapted to be tensioned and held in'tension thereby upon energization of said responsive means and released upon deenergization thereof, a clockwork device connected to and adapted to be driven by said spring upon release thereof, means operated by said device for opening said second switch to stop the operation of said camera, and means for controlling the period of operation of said device to. delay fora predetermined time the operation of said switch opening means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein means are provided for effecting energization of said camera motor exclusively of said responsive means, and means associated with said camera for making a mark on the film to .indicate the inoperativeness of said responsive means and accordingly of said clockwork device. 4. In apparatus for photographing actual or simulated aerial combat, in combination, a machine gun, electrically actuated means for firing said gun, a motion picture camera for photographing'the results of actual or simulated fire a circuit for said heater, and means responsive to the denergization of said camera circuit for energizing said heater circuit whereby said heater is operable when the camera operating means is deenergized. I

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a machine gun, a motion picture camera associated with said gun and arranged to photograph the field of fire of the gun so as to record actual or simulated gun fire, energizable means for operating said gun, an electric motor for operating said camera, gun circuit means including a source of current, said gun operating means and a main switch closable to energize said circuit and operate said gun operating means, a camera circuit for said camera motor having a normally open switch which when closed energizes said camera circuit 'to operate said motor, a solenoid in said gun circuit responsive to energization thereof and operatively connected with said normally open switch for closing said normally open switch when said gun circuit is energized, a spring connected to said solenoid and adapted to be tensioned and held in tension thereby upon energization of said gun circuit and released upon deenergization thereof, a clockwork device connected to said spring and driven thereby upon release thereof by the deenergization of said solenoid, means for controlling the rate of operation of said device, and means operated by said device after a predetermined time for opening said normally open switch, whereby the operation of the camera may be continued after said main switch is opened.

6. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, amachine gun, a motion picture camera associated with said gun and arranged to photograph the field of fire of the gun so as to record actual or simulated gun fire, energizable means for operating said gun, an electric motor for operating said camera, gun circuit means including a source of current, said gun operating means and a main switch closable to energize said circuit and operate said gun operating means, a camera circuit for said camera motor having a normally open switch which when closed energizes said camera circuit to operate said motor, a solenoid in said guncircuit and responsive to energization thereof and operatively connected with said normally open switch for closing said normally open switch when said gun circuit is energized, a spring connected to said solenoid and adapted to be tensioned and held in tension 'thereby upon energization of said gun circuit and released "upon deenergization thereof, said spring being said gun circuit and accordingly said solenoid is deenergized, a clockwork device connected to said spring and driven thereby upon release thereof when said solenoid is deenergized, means operated by said device after a predetermined period of time for opening said normally open switch, thereby to maintain said camera motor in operation after the main switch is Opened, and control means for setting the period of operation of said device to selectively determine the extent of the delay in the opening of said 5 normally open switch.

CLINTON B. GA'I'Y. GEORGE RATTRAY. 

